Validation of recommended emergency actions for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Program develops risk-based safety standards and regulations, provides oversight, and gives expert advice on dangerous goods incidents to promote public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport in Canada. The Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC) is responsible for delivering emergency response advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone with questions or concerns involving the transportation of dangerous goods or emergencies involving dangerous goods. This includes advice on dangerous goods release mitigation strategies, the physical and chemical properties of dangerous goods, as well as protective actions (e.g. recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) and evacuation distances).TC is looking to obtain the services of a contractor to comparatively analyze LNG to LPG in terms of the hazard profile based on its physical and chemical properties, scientific literature pertaining to or comparing the two products, and previously completed testing and/or modelling, and/or past incidents, involving a release of these products, including those involving fires and/or resulting in BLEVE events. The objective of the research is to demonstrate the differences and/or similarities between LPG and LNG in order to inform decisions related to its emergency guide assignment in the upcoming editions of the ERG, or to inform additional research that might need to be undertaken to make this determination.This project will address the question of whether or not the hazard profiles of LNG and LPG differ significantly enough to change the emergency response guidance for LNG in the ERG. Specifically, the hazard profiles of LNG and LPG will be compared, including:a comparison of their chemical and physical properties with respect to their inherent hazard profile;a comparison of the hazards presented by each product when spilled based on physical and chemical properties;a comparison of the effects of a release on the means of containment for LNG vs. LPG;the emergency response tactics used in LNG vs. LPG incidents and the factors affecting the complexity of the response;an analysis of the hazards encountered from a wide range of past incidents and/or previously completed physical testing and/or modelling, involving a release of these products from means of containment for road or rail transport or from storage tanks of similar design (as applicable for data), including those involving fire or resulting in BLEVE events. The analysis may also make use of available scientific literature.These results will then be analyzed to determine if the current emergency response actions for LNG are appropriate and whether the recommended emergency response actions for LNG should be comparable to those for LPG or not.